Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign facts for kids
 2008 Obama–Biden campaign logo General election logo 2008 Obama presidential campaign logo Primary campaign logo |
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| Candidate | Barack Obama U.S. Senator from Illinois (2005–2008) Joe Biden U.S. Senator from Delaware (1973–2009) |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Democratic Party |
| Status | Announced: February 10, 2007 Presumptive nominee: June 3, 2008 Official nominee: August 27, 2008 Won election: November 4, 2008 Certification: January 8, 2009 Inaugurated: January 20, 2009 |
| Headquarters | 233 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60601 |
| Key people | David Plouffe (manager) Penny Pritzker (finance) David Axelrod (media) Michael Slaby (chief technology officer) Robert Gibbs (communications) Bill Burton (spokesman) Henry De Sio (chief operating officer) Claire McCaskill (co-chair) Tim Kaine (co-chair) Paul Hodes (co-chair) |
| Receipts | US$670.7 million |
| Slogan | ' |
| Chant | Yes We Can Fired up! Ready to go! |
| Website | www.barackobama.com (Archived) |
In 2007, Barack Obama, a U.S. Senator from Illinois, announced he would run for President of the United States. His campaign aimed to bring new ideas and hope to the country. After winning many early elections, called primaries, he became the Democratic Party's choice for president. This was a historic moment because he was the first African American to be nominated by a major political party for president.
On August 23, 2008, Obama chose Senator Joe Biden from Delaware to be his running mate. Together, they worked to share their vision for America. On November 4, 2008, Obama won the election, defeating Republican Senator John McCain. He became the first African American president of the United States.
Many people saw Obama's campaign as a remarkable story. He was not widely known across the country before 2007. His win in the primaries against Hillary Clinton was a big surprise. His campaign was also praised for using the Internet and social media in new and effective ways. This helped him connect with many voters, especially young people and minority groups.
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Obama Secures the Nomination
By June 3, 2008, after winning primaries in states like Montana and South Dakota, Barack Obama had enough support to become the official Democratic Party candidate for president. His main opponent for the nomination, Hillary Clinton, ended her campaign on June 7 and asked her supporters to back Obama. This showed a united front for the party. Obama also met with important financial experts like Warren Buffett to show his understanding of the economy.
Choosing a Vice President
After the primaries, many people wondered who Barack Obama would choose as his running mate. This person would become the Vice President if Obama won. On August 23, 2008, Obama announced his choice: Senator Joe Biden from Delaware. Biden was known for his experience in foreign policy and national security.
Joe Biden's Role in the Campaign
Joe Biden had previously run for president himself. Obama saw him as a valuable partner. Biden's experience in the Senate and his ability to connect with everyday voters were important. He was officially nominated for Vice President on August 27 at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Biden traveled to many states, especially those with close races. He spoke to voters about the economy and other important issues. He also participated in a vice-presidential debate with Sarah Palin, the Republican running mate. Many people felt Biden performed well in this debate.
On November 4, 2008, Obama and Biden won the election. Biden also won re-election to his Senate seat in Delaware on the same day. He resigned from the Senate in January 2009 to become Vice President.
Major Campaign Events
Middle Eastern and European Tour
In July 2008, Obama traveled to several countries, including Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France, and Britain. He met with many international leaders. This trip helped him show his understanding of global issues. He also gave a big speech in Berlin to a crowd of over 200,000 people.
Presidential Debates
Obama and McCain had three presidential debates. These were important opportunities for voters to see them discuss their ideas.
- The first debate was on September 26, 2008, at the University of Mississippi.
- The second debate was on October 7, 2008, at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. This debate allowed candidates to answer questions from the audience.
- The third debate was on October 15, 2008, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
During this time, the country faced a serious 2008 financial crisis. McCain paused his campaign to help with a plan to fix the economy. However, his actions during this period were seen by some as uncertain. Obama's team used this to show his steady leadership.
Saddleback Civil Forum
On August 16, 2008, both Obama and McCain were interviewed separately by Pastor Rick Warren at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. They discussed their views on faith and leadership.
Victory Speech
After winning the election, Obama gave his victory speech at Grant Park in Chicago on November 4, 2008. An estimated 240,000 people gathered to hear him speak. Millions more watched on TV and online. His speech focused on the challenges facing the country and the world, echoing his campaign message of "change."
Campaign Funding
Obama's campaign raised a record amount of money. It was the first major presidential campaign to refuse public funding for the general election. Instead, it raised all its money from individual donors. This allowed the campaign to spend more on advertising and outreach.
The campaign raised over $650 million. Much of this came from small donations made online. This showed how many people supported Obama and wanted to contribute.
Campaign Branding and Messaging
Campaign Logo
The Obama campaign used a memorable logo. It was a circle with a rising sun over fields, using the colors of the American flag. The designers wanted it to represent a "new day" and a sense of hope.
Slogans and Chants
The main slogan for Obama's campaign was "Change we can believe in." Another popular chant was "Yes We Can." This phrase was also well-known in Spanish as "Sí se puede." These slogans helped inspire supporters and communicate the campaign's message.
Hope Poster
The "hope" poster became a very famous image of Barack Obama. Artist Shepard Fairey created a stylized portrait of Obama in red, white, and blue. The words "progress", "hope", or "change" were often placed below the image. This poster was widely shared and became a symbol of the campaign. The Smithsonian Institution later acquired a version of this artwork for its National Portrait Gallery.
Campaign Songs
Music played a big part in the campaign. Songs like U2's "City of Blinding Lights" and Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising" were often played at events. Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" was frequently played after Obama's speeches. Many artists also created new songs inspired by his candidacy, such as "Yes We Can" by will.i.am.
Technology in the Campaign
Obama's campaign was known for its smart use of the Internet and social media. It was one of the first presidential campaigns to use these tools so effectively. This set a new standard for future political campaigns.
MyBo Social Network
In 2007, the campaign launched its own social networking site called my.barackobama.com, or MyBO. This website helped supporters connect with each other and organize events. It allowed people to make calls, create signs, and go door-to-door to gather support for Obama.
Using Data to Connect with Voters
The campaign used technology to understand voters better. They collected information through website surveys and volunteer efforts. This data helped them send personalized messages to people based on their interests. It also helped them find and encourage activists in important areas.
Media Outreach
Online Advertising
The Obama campaign used online advertising to reach specific groups of people. They used data to show different ads to different viewers. This made their messages more effective.
Television Advertisements
The campaign ran many TV commercials. These ads highlighted Obama's background and his ideas for the country. They ran in many states, including some that usually voted Republican.
Infomercial
On October 29, 2008, the campaign aired a special 30-minute TV program called "American Stories, American Solutions." It was shown on several major networks. The program discussed important issues like healthcare and taxes, and featured a live speech from Obama. This was a unique way to reach millions of viewers.
Addressing Misinformation
The campaign launched a website called "Fight the Smears" to correct false information and rumors spread about Obama. This site provided facts and responses to claims about his birth origin, past relationships, and religious beliefs.
Israel for Obama
A group called "Israel for Obama" was started by American-Israelis. Their goal was to counter claims made against Obama regarding Israel and the Jewish community. They gathered support and endorsements from people in Israel. This effort helped increase Jewish support for Obama in the election.
Political Positions
Barack Obama shared his views on many important national issues. His main priorities included removing American troops from Iraq, working towards energy independence, reducing the influence of lobbyists, and promoting universal health care.
Opinion Polling
Opinion polls helped track how popular the candidates were. After Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, his support briefly dropped when John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his running mate. However, Obama soon regained his lead in national polls.
By early November 2008, just before the election, polls showed Obama leading McCain by a significant margin. His support was especially strong among young voters and minority groups.
Election Day
On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama made history by becoming the first African American President of the United States. He won almost 53% of the popular vote and 365 electoral votes. This was a strong victory, and he won several states that had voted Republican in the previous election.
Joe Biden also made history as the first Roman Catholic to be elected Vice President. He was also the longest-serving senator to become Vice President, having served for 36 years.
Certification of Electoral Votes
On January 8, 2009, the U.S. Congress officially counted and certified the electoral votes. Vice President Dick Cheney announced that Barack Obama had won 365 electoral votes and John McCain had won 173. This officially confirmed Obama as President and Biden as Vice President.
See also
In Spanish: Campaña presidencial de Barack Obama de 2008 para niños
